Method and apparatus for handling yarn

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus for handling yarn wherein yarn is withdrawn from a first yarn treating process, stored temporarily in a yarn reservoir and withdrawn from the reservoir under a for delivery to a second yarn treating process. The yarn reservoir comprises a yarn storage feeder which takes up yarn from the first process at a constant and continuous rate, and which incorporates sensing means to monitor the amount of yarn in storage. The sensing means controls the rate of delivery of the stored yarn to the second yarn treating process.

lJnited States Patent Lawson Oct. 29, 1974 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING YARN John B. Lawson, Providence, RI.

Lawson-Hemphill Inc., Central Falls, R.l.

Filed: Mar. 13, 1973 Appl. No.: 340,722

Related US. Application Data Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 241,207, April 5, 1972, Patv No. 3,776,480.

Inventor:

Assignee:

US. Cl 242/4701, 66/132 R, 242/45, 242/47.l2

Int. Cl B65h 51/20 Field of Search 242/47.01-47.l3, 45, 47, 49; 1 66/132 R 7 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,755,916 7/1956 Mcllvried et al7 242/4712 3,749,327 7/1973 Roethke et al. 242/4712 Primary ExaminerStanley N. Gilreath Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Miller, Frailey & Prestia ABSTRACT Method and apparatus for handling yarn wherein yarn is withdrawn from a first yarn treating process, stored temporarily in a yam reservoir and withdrawn from the reservoir under a for delivery to a second yarn treating process. The yarn reservoir comprises a yarn storage feeder which takes up yarn from the first process at a constant and continuous rate, and which incorporates sensing means to monitor the amount of yarn in storage. The sensing means controls the rate of delivery of the stored yarn to thesecond yarn treating process.

8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHCI 29 m4 SHEH 2 BF 2 1 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING YARN CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of my pending patent application'Ser. No. 241,207, filed Apr. 5, I972 now US. Pat. No. 3,776,480, and entitled Yarn Handling Apparatus."

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION During the production or treatment of textile fibers, strands, yarns or threads, it frequently is necessary or desireable for the material to move at a constant and/or controlled rate through and/or from a first treating process directly to a second treating process, which receives and/or consumes the material at a controlled, uniform tension. Such a production system might for example, include a yarn extruder as the firstv process and a winding machine as the second process. Difficulties often arise in endeavoring to combine two such processes into a single production or treatment system, since the force required to withdraw the material from the first process may be greater than the tension requirements of the second process.

Heretofore, to compensate for such difficulties, ithas been the practice to provide some type of reservoir between the two processes, in which the material being handled is received from the'first "process, stored temporarily, and then delivered to the second process.

Such reservoir systems usually are highly sophisticated and expensive, and often are limited in their ability to perform satisfactorily, particularly when the second process requires the material to be treated at relatively low tensions.

In recent years, a number of yarn storage feeders have been'developed, for withdrawingyarn from a source, such as a cone or package, fordelivery to a yarn consuming apparatus, such as a knitter, winder, spooler or the like, at a constant tension. All such devices, however,-draw yarn from the-source intermittently. By reason of their intermittent operation, such yarn storage feeders would not workin a system requiring the continuous delivery of yarn from a first process, such as a yarn extruder, a yarn coating machine, a spinning frame, etc., directly to a second process, such as a winder, a spooler,.a knitter, etc.

Thus, the primary object of this invention is to provide a new and improved method and apparatus for handling yarn, wherein yarn is withdrawn at a constant rate from a first yarn treating process, stored temporarily in a yarn reservoir and then withdrawn therefromunder a selected tension for'delivery to a second yarn treating and/or consuming process.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved reservoir for the temporary storage of yarn, to which yarn is delivered at a constant and controlled rate from a first process and from which yarn is withdrawn at a constant and controlled tension for delivery to a second process.

- A furtherobject is to provide a new and improved yarn-storage feeder which takes up yarn at'a constant rate from a first yarn process and stores the yarnternporarily for delivery to a second yarn process at a uniform tension, while maintaining sufficient yarn in the storage to meet'the demand of the second process.

To achieve the foregoing objects, the invention, inits preferred form, includes a yarn storage feeder driven continuously from, and in timed relation to, the first yarn treating process. The yarn storage feeder includes a sensing system to monitor constantly the amount of yarn in storage. The sensing system regulates the rate at which the second yarn process withdraws yarn from the storage feeder. When the amount of yarn temporarily in storage is reduced to a selected minimum, the sensing system slows down the rate at which the second process withdraws yarn from the storage feeder, thereby permitting the amount of yarn in the storage to increase. When the amount of yarn temporarily in storage reaches a'selected maximum, the sensing system causes the rate of yarn withdrawal by the second process to increase. By'such arrangement, a reservoir of yarn withdrawn from the first process at a constant rate is maintained for its continuous delivery at a selected tension to the second process.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, schematic view illustrating a preferred embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, schematic view of the yarn storage sensing means which monitors the amount of yarn temporarily in storage and controls the rate of yarn withdrawal from storage. FIG. 3 isan enlarged, fragmentary .vlew in elevation of the yarn storage sensing means.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section indicated by the arrows 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. Sis a cross-section indicated by the arrows 5-5 of FIG. 3. I

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. l,illustrates schematically a preferred embodiconsuming textile apparatus or second process705,

such as a winder, a spooler, a knitter, etc.

The yarn storage feeder may be any type known in this art. For the purpose of illustration, a yarn storage feeder of the type disclosed in my pending application Ser. No. 241,207 aforesaid, is illustrated in FIG. 1.

The yarn storage feeder 701 has a vertical, hollow rotatable shaft 710 supported in a hollow, stationary support 702 affixed to, or adjacent to, yarn process 700. A stationary drum 703 is spaced below support 702 and mounted on the lower portion of shaft 710. A toothed disc 704 is angularly suspended on shaft 710, in the space between support'702 and drum 703, to prevent rotation of the drum. The peripheral teeth 366 of disc 704 engage, at diametrically opposite locations of disc 704, circular teeth 731 and 732, respectively, on sup port 702 and drum 703, in the manner disclosed in my patent application Ser. No. 241,207 aforesaid.

Shaft 710 is driven at a constant, selected speed from A ley 709, the latter being affixedto the upper portion of the shaft. With this driving arrangement, timing pulleys 708, 709 are driven in timed relationship to process 700, enabling the yarn storage feeder to drawn yarn 712 from process 700 via yarn guide 726 at a constant,

selected rate for temporary storage en route to process 705.

Affixed to shaft 710 between support 702 and disc 704 is a hollow, radially extending yarn guide arm 711 having a dependent portion 371 terminating in a yarn guide 236. The axial bore (not shown) of yarn arm 711 communicates with the axial bore (not shown) of shaft 710, to provide a continuous yarn passage. Yarn guide arm 711 rotates continuously about stationary drum 703, to wrap yarn 712 tangentially in plural turns on the drum for temporary storage. By reason of its angular mounting on shaft 710, and the simultaneous engagement of its teeth 366 with the teeth of support 702 and the teeth of drum 703, a vertical rhythmic wobbling motion is imparted to disc 704 as shaft 710 rotates. Disc 704 acts as a wobble key or connector to lock drum 703 to support 702 while providing a rotating opening for the yarn guide arm 711 extending from shaft 710.

Preferably, drum 703 is provided with a plurality of spaced vertical slats 282 for advancing the yarn turns on the drum axially toward the yarn draw-off end thereof. In many yarn storage feeders, such yarn advancing means are omitted, in which event the yarn turns are pushed axially by new yarn turns being wrapped onto the drum as yarn guide 236 revolves relativesto the drum. Yarn 712 withdraws axially of the drum via a yarn guide 727.

Thus, an uninterrupted yarn path extends from the first yarn process 700 to the second yarn process 705. Yarn is withdrawn at a uniform rate from process 700 as the result of the continuous rotation of shaft 710, and passes through guide 726, through the communicating axial bores of shaft 710 and arm 711 and then emerges from yarn guide 236 by which it is wrapped tangentially about drum 703 to form a plurality of yarn turns or spirals on the drum. The yarn is withdrawn axially from the drum, under a constant tension, by process 705 via yarn guide 727. if desired, any conventional yarn tension device T, shown in shadow lines in HO. 1, may be utilized to impose a selected tension on the yarn as it passes from drum 703 to process 705.

The yarn treating process 705 preferably is independently driven by a suitable electric motor 725. The motor may be of any well known two speed, variable speed or quick start and stop type which, upon a suitable signal, can quickly change its speed of rotation. Preferably, motor 725 operates at two speeds, the higher of which is set so process 705 withdraws yarn 712 from stationary drum 703 slightly faster than the yarn storage feeder 701 withdraws yarn from process 700. The slower speed of motor 725 is set so process 705 withdraws yarn from drum 703 at a rate slightly slower than that at which the storage feeder 701 draws yarn from process 700. At either speed, motor 725 causes the yarn consuming process 705 to withdraw yarn from drum 703 at a constant, selected yarn ten- SlOn.

Pivotally mounted on stationary support 702 is a vertical yarn sensing finger 719. The lower distal end 719' of finger 719 is adapted to rest against the yarn turns on drum 703. When the yarn turns on drum 703 are reduced to a minimum, spring 318 (FIG. 3) pivots the finger toward drum 703, until a-threaded screw 324, mounted on finger 719, strikes element 264. The position of the lower end 719' of finger 719, when this occurs, is shown by the shadow line 719'A in FIG. 3.

The element 264 may be a vertical, pivotal valve which, through. the pneumatic system illustrated in FlGS. 2-5, controls the speed of motor 725. Such pneumatic system includes a bore 714 in support 702 connected to a source of compressed air (not shown). Bore 714 branches into bores 715 and 716 in support 702. Bore 715 communicates with the atmosphere through a bore 266 in plug 717, when valve 264 is open.

Bore 716 leads to a horizontal axis, cylindrical cavity 721 which serves as an air chamber. Cavity 721 is sealed from the atmosphere by a flexible diaphragm 246 (FIG. 4), the latter being secured by means of a retaining ring 248 and-threaded bolts 249.

A piston 722 is slidable axially within air chamber 721 and ring 248. The diaphragm 246 is interposed between the bottom of the piston and the interior of the air chamber.

As explained in my US. Pat. application Ser. No. 241,207 aforesaid, bore 714 is connected to a source of compressed air (not shown) via orifice 262 and bores 256 and 255 in threaded plug 254, horizontal bore 258 in support 702 and air tubes 260 and 261 (FIG. 5). The cross sectional area of bore 266 in plug 717 preferably is at least 3 times larger than the cross sectional area of orifice 262 in plug 254. Compressed air in the system urges valve 264 to open position, and when the valve is open, the compressed air escapes to the atmosphere.

Spaced a short distance from the outer end of piston 722 is a microswitch 723 (FIGS. 2,4) connected by electrical conduits 724 to the electric motor 725.

When the yarn stored on drum 703 falls below a selected minimum number of yarn turns, because process 705 has been withdrawing yarn from drum 703 faster than the storage feeder 701 withdraws yarn from process 700, yarn sensing finger 719 is caused by spring 318 to pivot inwardly of drum 703, whereby screw 324 closes air valve 264. This causes the air pressure to rise in chamber 721, to advance piston 722 into contact with miscroswitch 723. Miscroswitch 723 transmits an electric signal through conduits 724 to motor 725, to slow down the motor and reduce the rate at which yarn is withdrawn from drum 703 by process 705. The amount of yarn in storage on drum 703 now increases, and the additional yarn turns move axially downward of the drum and pass under the distal end 719 of the yarn sensing finger 719. When a sufficient quantity of yarn has been restored to drum 703, the added yarn turns cause yarn sensing finger 719 to pivot outwardly of the drum whereby valve 264 again opens. Air pressure then is reduced in chamber 721 and the piston 722 retracts from the microswitch 723 under the influence of any conventional force means, such as a spring (not shown).

The retraction of piston 722 causes a new electric signal to be transmitted through conduits 724 to motor 725, to increase its speed and cause the yarn consuming process 705 to resume its former speed of yarn consumption. Thus, the yarn sensing finger 719 and the pneumatic system of the yarn storage feeder 701 operate together to slow down and speed up the rate of yarn consumption of process 705, in response to the number of yarn turns on drum 703, thereby maintaining at all times an ample storage of yarn for delivery to process 705 under a selected, constant tension.

Although certain preferred embodiments of this invention have been shown and described for the purposes of illustration, it is to be understood that this invention may be applied to many other uses, and that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirt and utility of the invention, or the scope thereof as set forth in the appended claims.

In the claims hereof, the term yarn" is not intended to be restricted in scope or meaning, but is to be construed to include yarn, thread, fibers and all like or similar strands formed of either single or plural filaments, and includes all such materials whether inelastic, elastic, stretchable or textured.

I claim:

1. In a method for handling yarn including the steps of withdrawing yarn from a first process, storing the yarn temporarily by a yarn storage feeder and withdrawing yarn from the yarn storage feeder under a constant tension by a second process, the improvement comprising:

a. withdrawing the yarn from the first process at a selected constant rate by the yarn storage feeder,

b. driving the yarn storage feeder by and in timed relation to the first process,

c. continuously monitoring the quantity of yarn stored by the yarn storage feeder,

d. reducing the rate of yarn withdrawal by the second process from the yarn storage feeder when the quantity of yarn in storage reaches a predetermined minimum and e. increasing the rate of yarn withdrawal by the second process from the yarn storage feeder when the quantity of yarn in storage reaches a predetermined maximum.

2. ln apparatus for handling yarn having a first process from which yarn is delivered, a second process which consumes the yarn and a yarn storage feeder for temporarily storing the yarn interposed between the two processes, from which storage feeder the second process withdraws yarn at a constant tension, the improvement comprising a. drive means connected to the for driving the storage feeder to in timed relation to the first process take up-yam at a constant rate from the first process,

b. yarn sensing means associated with the yarn storage feeder to monitor constantly the amount of yarn in storage and 0. speed control means responsive to the amount of yarn in storage to vary the rate at which the second process withdraws yarn from the yarn storage feeder.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further including a signal transmission system interposed between the yarn sensing means and the speed control means, whereby the yarn sensing means controls the rate of yarn withdrawal from the drum in accordancewith the amount of yarn in storage. I

4. Apparatus'for handling yarncomprising a. a first process from which yarn is delivered at a constant rate, I r

b. a second process which consumes yarn at a constant tension,

c. a yarn storage feeder interposed processes,

between the two d. drive means connecting the first process to the yarn storage feeder to drive the yarn storage feeder continuously in timed relation to the first process,

e. a variable speed drive for the second process,

f; speed control means to regulate the speed of the variable speed drive,

g. actuator means for the speed control means,

h. yarn sensing means associated with the yarn storage feeder to monitor the quantity of yarn in storage and i. a signal transmission system interposed between the yarn sensing means and the speed control actuator means to transmit signals from the yarn sensing means to said actuator means.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein a. the signal transmission system includes 1. a source of compressed air,

2. an air chamber connected to the source of compressed air and 3. a valve for the air chamber to vary air pressure in the chamber and b. the speedcontrol actuator means comprises a piston slidably disposed within the air chamber and movable therein in response to the air pressure in the chamber.

6. Apparatus for handling yarn incorporating a first process from which yarn is delivered, a second process which consumes the yarn at a constant tension and has a variable speed drive, and a yarn storage feeder interposed between the two processes for taking up yarn from the first process and providing a temporary store of yarn for the second process, said'yarn storage feeder having a. a drum about which yarn is wrapped tangentially to form a plurality of yarn turns,

b. a yarn guide for delivering yarn to the drum,

0. drive means connected to the first process for totating the drum and the yarn guide relative to each other continuously to take up yarn at a constant rate,

d. speed control means to vary the speed of the variable speed drive and the rate of yarn withdrawal from the drum,

e. yarn sensing means for monitoring the number of yarn turns on the drum and f. a signal transmission system interposed between the yarn sensing. means and the speed control means, whereby the yarn sensing means controls the rate of yarn withdrawal from the drum i'n'accordance with the number of yarn turns on the drum.

7. in a yarn storage feeder having a drum about which yarn is wound helically to form a plurality of turns and from which yarn is drawn off at one end thereof, a yarn guide for delivering yarn to the drum and drive means for rotating the drum and the yarn guide relative to each other continuously to take up yarn at a constant rate, meansfor withdrawing yarn from the drum and means for controlling the .rate at which yarn is withdrawn from the drum comprising:

a. yarn sensing means to monitor constantly the amount of yarn in storage,

b. speed control means responsive to the amount of yarn in storage to vary the rate at which yarn is withdrawn from the drum by said withdrawing meansand' c. a signal transmission system interposed between the yarn sensing means and the speed control means, whereby the yarn sensing means controls the rate of yarn withdrawal from the drum in accordance with the amount of yarn in storage.

8. In a yarn storage feeder having a drum about which yarn is wound helically to form a plurality of turns and from which yarn is drawn off in a generally axial direction at one end thereof, a yarn guide for delivering yarn to the drum, means for urging the yarn turns axially along the drum toward the yarn draw-off end of the drum and drive means for rotating the drum and the yarn guide relative to each other, means for withdrawing yarn from the drum and means for controlling the rate at which yarn is withdrawn from the drum comprising:

a. a pneumatic system having 1. a source of compressed air, 2. an air chamber connected to the source of compressed air,

3. a valve for the air chamber and 4. means for opening and closing the valve to vary air pressure in the chamber,

b. a piston slidably disposed within the air chamber and movable therein in response to the amount of air pressure in the chamber,

. yarn sensing means disposed adjacent the periphd. speed control means responsive to the advance of the piston operative to vary the rate at which the yarn is withdrawn from the drum by said withdrawing means.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE i CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Dated October 29, 1974 Patent No. ,8 4,504

Inventofls) John B. Lawson It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patentsre hereby corrected as shown below:

Abstract first occurrence, insert --uniform selected Line 4, after ,"a tension-- Column 5 Claim 2 Line 44, after"'the", first occurrence, insert' -first process-- Line 4 5, delete "to", first occurrence.

Line 46, before "take" insert --to- Signed and sealed this 14th day of January 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. In a method for handling yarn including the steps of withdrawing yarn from a first process, storing the yarn temporarily by a yarn storage feeder and withdrawing yarn from the yarn storage feeder under a constant tension by a second process, the improvement comprising: a. withdrawing the yarn from the first process at a selected constant rate by the yarn storage feeder, b. driving the yarn storage feeder by and in timed relation to the first process, c. continuously monitoring the quantity of yarn stored by the yarn storage feeder, d. reducing the rate of yarn withdrawal by the second process from the yarn storage feeder when the quantity of yarn in storage reaches a pre-determined minimum and e. increasing the rate of yarn withdrawal by the second process from the yarn storage feeder when the quantity of yarn in storage reaches a pre-determined maximum.
 2. In apparatus for handling yarn having a first process fRom which yarn is delivered, a second process which consumes the yarn and a yarn storage feeder for temporarily storing the yarn interposed between the two processes, from which storage feeder the second process withdraws yarn at a constant tension, the improvement comprising a. drive means connected to the for driving the storage feeder to in timed relation to the first process take up yarn at a constant rate from the first process, b. yarn sensing means associated with the yarn storage feeder to monitor constantly the amount of yarn in storage and c. speed control means responsive to the amount of yarn in storage to vary the rate at which the second process withdraws yarn from the yarn storage feeder.
 2. an air chamber connected to the source of compressed air,
 2. an air chamber connected to the source of compressed air and
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 further including a signal transmission system interposed between the yarn sensing means and the speed control means, whereby the yarn sensing means controls the rate of yarn withdrawal from the drum in accordance with the amount of yarn in storage.
 3. a valve for the air chamber to vary air pressure in the chamber and b. the speed control actuator means comprises a piston slidably disposed within the air chamber and movable therein in response to the air pressure in the chamber.
 3. a valve for the air chamber and
 4. Apparatus for handling yarn comprising a. a first process from which yarn is delivered at a constant rate, b. a second process which consumes yarn at a constant tension, c. a yarn storage feeder interposed between the two processes, d. drive means connecting the first process to the yarn storage feeder to drive the yarn storage feeder continuously in timed relation to the first process, e. a variable speed drive for the second process, f. speed control means to regulate the speed of the variable speed drive, g. actuator means for the speed control means, h. yarn sensing means associated with the yarn storage feeder to monitor the quantity of yarn in storage and i. a signal transmission system interposed between the yarn sensing means and the speed control actuator means to transmit signals from the yarn sensing means to said actuator means.
 4. means for opening and closing the valve to vary air pressure in the chamber, b. a piston slidably disposed within the air chamber and movable therein in response to the amount of air pressure in the chamber, c. yarn sensing means disposed adjacent the periphery of the drum and responsive to the number of yarn turns on the drum for controlling the valve, said sensing means being operative to permit said valve to close after a minimum of yarn turns are on the drum, whereby the amount of air pressure in the air chamber increases to advance the piston relative to said chamber, and d. speed control means responsive to the advance of the piston operative to vary the rate at which the yarn is withdrawn from the drum by said withdrawing means.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein a. the signal transmission system includes
 6. Apparatus for handling yarn incorporating a first process from which yarn is delivered, a second process which consumes the yarn at a constant tension and has a variable speed drive, and a yarn storage feeder interposed between the two processes for taking up yarn from the first process and providing a temporary store of yarn for the second process, said yarn storage feeder having a. a drum about which yarn is wrapped tangentially to form a plurality of yarn turns, b. a yarn guide for delivering yarn to the drum, c. drive means connected to the first process for rotating the drum and the yarn guide relative to each other continuously to take up yarn at a constant rate, d. speed control means to vary the speed of the variable speed drive and the rate of yarn withdrawal from the drum, e. yarn sensing means for monitoring the number of yarn turns on the drum and f. a signal transmission system interposed between the yarn sensing means and the speed control means, whereby the yarn sensing means controls the rate of yarn withdrawal from the drum in accordance with the number of yarn turns on the drum.
 7. In a yarn storage feeder having a drum about which yarn is wound helically to form a plurality of turns and from which yarn is drawn off at one end thereof, a yarn guide for delivering yarn to the drum and drive means for rotating the drum and the yarn guide relative to each other continuously to take up yarn at a constant rate, means for withdrawing yarn from the drum and means for controlling the rate at which yarn is withdrawn from the drum comprising: a. yarn sensing means to monitor constantly the amount of yaRn in storage, b. speed control means responsive to the amount of yarn in storage to vary the rate at which yarn is withdrawn from the drum by said withdrawing means and c. a signal transmission system interposed between the yarn sensing means and the speed control means, whereby the yarn sensing means controls the rate of yarn withdrawal from the drum in accordance with the amount of yarn in storage.
 8. In a yarn storage feeder having a drum about which yarn is wound helically to form a plurality of turns and from which yarn is drawn off in a generally axial direction at one end thereof, a yarn guide for delivering yarn to the drum, means for urging the yarn turns axially along the drum toward the yarn draw-off end of the drum and drive means for rotating the drum and the yarn guide relative to each other, means for withdrawing yarn from the drum and means for controlling the rate at which yarn is withdrawn from the drum comprising: a. a pneumatic system having 